Cataclysm: New Dungeons & Raids Preview

We recently previewed the upcoming Cataclysm zones, where we showed off the awesome new zones players will be able to experience in less than a week. We've not only got awesome zones such as Uldum, Kezan and Vashj'ir to look forward to, but many of these new zones feature new dungeons and raids as well! Cataclysm will ship with eight new dungeons, two upgraded Heroic versions of classic dungeons, and four new raids (with more being released in later patches). These dungeons will (of course) feature both normal and heroic versions, with raid encounters offering unlockable encounter-specific difficulty toggling. These raids will support the Flexible Lock System (detailed here, as well as in our Cataclysm Guide), allowing players to adjust raid sizing as necessary.

We've already seen quite a bit of new dungeon loot courtesy of the Cataclysm Beta, and there are many new items which can be purchased from vendors (including Tier 11 pieces!) using the new Justice Points and Valor Points currencies. Thankfully, Blizzard gave us a peek at how many points we can plan on earning in these upcoming dungeons and raids!

Check out previews of all of the upcoming dungeons and raids in Cataclysm (with screenshots, videos and more!) after the break! We've also got a handy video pointing out all of the new dungeon entrances!

Remember, characters will not be able to queue for a Cataclysm dungeon in the Dungeon Finder until they have first discovered the dungeon's entrance in the world. For this reason, we've created a video aimed at helping find those dungeon entrances!

New Dungeons

Location:Blackrock MountainThe Blackrock Mountain makes its return in Cataclysm with a new dungeon (and a raid). After the incredibly long Blackrock Depths and Blackrock Spire, the Blackrock Caverns are being introduced to the game. The Caverns were created by Deathwing himself when he decided that it would be convenient of the Blackrock Mountain was connected to the Twilight Highlands, the Twilight Hammer's "base." So the Aspect of Death dug through the continent itself and create a large cavern-like network. The area is inhabited and guarded by warriors and spellcasters of the Twilight Hammer, as well as powerful elementals, and corrupted Earthen.

Location:Twilight HighlandsProtected by the Red Dragonflight until recent years, the cursed halls of Grim Batol have been retaken by the Twilight Hammer, Deathwing, and the Old Gods. The Reds are trying to regain their ground in the ancient corridors, but the armies of Twilight are numberless, and their defenses - seemingly impenetrable. But the burdens will be great for those brave or foolish enough to venture into the heart of the Twilight Hammer. A small group of Reds and Earthen Ring shamans will await you and your group at the entrance, explaining the gravity of the situation you all are in. You will need to rescue several red dragons from their tortures, defeat some of the cult's strongest generals, and finally face Erudax, a powerful servant of the Old Gods. To add even more spice to the fight, you will find him in a room of eggs laid by Alexstrasza herself... and Twilight eggs around them. The shackles that once chained the great Aspect of Life still linger on the floor, reminding the heroes of Azeroth of the price of failure.

Location:UldumThe Halls of Origination are yet another one of the mysterious Titans' complexes built throughout Azeroth. As the story of Uldum and its inhabitants - the Tol'vir - unfolds before you, it drags you closer and closer to the Halls. There, if the legend and the Tol'vir have it right, those who are strong enough can find a weapon of unimaginable power left by the Titans in case the world falls to corruption and they need to obliterate it. With the aid of Brann Bronzebeard, you will venture forth into the unknown, challenging every one of the Halls' keepers in an attempt to obtain power and knowledge.

Location:UldumThe Tol'vir are another one of the Titans' races of stone, much like the Earthen. But while the Earthen were created to assist the Titans in shaping the very world, the Tol'vir's purpose was one of safekeeping. They were to maintain the various repositories and machines hidden inside Uldum. Alas, recent events have disturbed their long history of relatively peaceful life. With the Cataclysm exposing the "Land of the Titans," and the Neferset clan joining forces with Deathwing and the Old Gods, the remaining Tol'vir led by the Ramkahen king have lost the struggle to keep, or even regain one of their biggest cities - the Neferset City, - now only known as the Lost City. Inhabited by the Neferset and Deathwing's servants led by Siamat, Lord of the South Wind, the Lost City is well-guarded against any invasion from King Phaorsis, but perhaps a small group of skilled adventurers might be just what it takes to sneak it, rescue the Ramkahen prince-heir, and defeat Siamat.

Location: Above Southern UldumThe Skywall is one of the regions - or domains - of the Elemental Plane. It is the domain of Air, where the air and wind elementals of Azeroth live under the rule of Al'Akir the Windlord, one of the Old Gods' most powerful lieutenants and an Elemental Lord. Adventurers who find themselves in the Skywall will find an vast sky, endless thunderstorms, an angry yellow sun, and above them - the citadel of Al'Akir himself, held in the air by cyclones shaped like solid columns. Poetic words aside, the Vortex Pinnacle looks like a mix between elven and Dalaranian architecture, with its smooth domes and solid bridges. Populated densely by air elementals, this segment of the Skywall is one of the most hostile places you will ever encounter. The only relief in here is the fact that the powerful winds will not allow you to plummet to your death if you fall of the one of the platforms... they will merely deliver you back in the hands of Al'Akir's servants. The entrance to The Vortex Pinnacle can be found high in the sky in temples floating off the coast of Uldum.

Location:DeepholmAnother part of the Elemental Plane, Deepholm is home of the earth elementals. Once a sanctuary for the wounded Deathwing, it is now a place of raging wars between Earthen, troggs, earth elementals, Twilight Hammer cultists, and numerous beasts. The Stonecore, a dungeon inside the very Temple of Earth (and possibly the heart of the entire realm), has also been infiltrated by the Twilight Hammer, and it will be up to the players to fight their way through Deepholm's natural inhabitants, scores of cultists, and the one and only Millhouse Manastorm!

Location: The Abyssal Breach, Abyssal DepthsThe Throne of the Tides is an ancient structure, possibly once used by Neptulon himself. It is now infested with naga and servants of the Old Gods, and even the mighty Tidehunter has been unable to stop the invasion! It will be up to you, brave heroes, to travel deep beneath the surface of Azeroth's oceans and enter the Abyssal Maw, the endless ocean of the Elemental Plane. There you will have to infiltrate the Throne, defeat the armies of naga and servants of the Old Gods, and finally assist the Tidehunter himself in his battle against Ozumat, the giant mind-controlling octopus-like creature.

Heroic Old Dungeons

Heroic Deadmines (85)

Location: Moonbrook, WestfallThe Deadmines made its first appearance more than 6 years ago when World of Warcraft was first released. It was the first instance Alliance players were likely to encounter, often before they hit level 20. Still hidden beneath Moonbrook's mines, the Defias Brotherhood's hideout has had almost its entire staff replaced. Many of the Cataclysm bosses will resemble the ones that occupied the place for the last 6 years, but the final encounter will be very different. "Captain" Cookie, former cook on the juggernaut ship, is the new ruler of the Normal version of the dungeon. Players strong enough to brave the Heroic Deadmines will have to face Vanessa VanCleef, daughter of Edwin VanCleef himself.

Heroic Shadowfang Keep (85)

Location: Pyrewood Village, Silverpine ForestShadowfang Keep is a castle located in southwestern parts of Silverpine Forest, overlooking the cursed Pyrewood Village. Formerly home of the crazed mage Arugal and his worgen, Shadowfang is now home to a trio of Gilnean nobles resurrected as Forsaken, but loyal to neither. Now, the new ruler of the ghastly keep is Lord Godfrey, with whom you will be very familiar if you've quested in either Gilneas or Silverpine Forest.

New Raids

Location:Tol BaradBaradin Hold is the main prison on the Tol Barad island. In the game, it is similar to the Vault of Archavon; Baradin Hold is only available to the faction that controls Tol Barad, and is also a one-boss encounter (VoA launched as a single-boss raid, Archavon, as well). Baradin Hold's only boss will be Argaloth, a demonic Pit Lord. Chances are, future patches will introduce additional bosses much like Wrath of the Lich King did for Vault of Archavon.

Location:Blackrock MountainThe Blackrock Mountain, historically a place hated by most players, makes its return in Cataclysm with a new raid (and a dungeon). Designed as a continuation of Blackwing Lair, Blackwing Descent will be a place rich on lore and history, but with new layout and bosses. The final encounter of this raid will be none else, but the resurrected and now undead children of Deathwing - Nefarian and Onyxia.

Location:Twilight HighlandsIf Grim Batol is the heart of the Twilight Hammer, then the Bastion of Twilight is its very soul. Virtually packed with cultists of all races, Twilight Dragonflight, elemental ascendants, and horrors never before seen in the world, the Bastion stands its ground in the Twilight Highlands, resisting attack after attack from the Wyrmrest Accord, the Alliance, and the Horde... while being able to spit out troops at an alarming rate. But the prize for demolishing the Twilight keep is also high - Cho'gall himself, the former chieftain of the orcish Twilight Hammer clan, and current leader of the Twilight Hammer cult resides within the Bastion's halls. Those who slay him will certainly shower in fame and riches for all eternity, as well as rid the world of a very powerful evil, of course. But Cho'gall is not the only mighty enemy to use the Bastion's halls as base. Lady Sinestra, Deathwing's latest consort, and the only one able to lay his eggs and bear his children, and arguably (in)direct mother of all the Twilight Dragonflight can also be found there... if one puts a heroic effort into the endeavour.

Location: Above southern UldumThe Skywall is a part of the Elemental Plane of Air, where the air elementals have made their home ages ago when they were banished from Azeroth by the titans. The Throne of the Four Winds is Al'Akir's innermost sanctum, where he advises with the Conclave of Wind, a council of four powerful air elementals, masters of the four winds. Presently Siamat, Lord of the South Wind, cannot be found there as he oversees his sovereign's operations in Uldum.

Comment by Pwntiff

Comment by gamer9087

on 2010-12-22T10:17:51-06:00

One of the best things about WOTLK was the sheer amount of dungeons to do. I hope there will be more soon! Btw~ Blackrock Caverns looks legit.

I think they started off with fewer dungeons because three WotLK dungeons are equivalent to one Cataclysm dungeon. It will be a much more epic feel to them due to the tuned up difficulty. I'm all for it though.

Yes long dungeons are fun at first and feel more epic than shorter ones, but by the 19th time you are doing the same dungeon long just = boring. I'm really afraid a few of the dungeons are gonna suffer from occulus syndrome where every just leaves when they get it in the random queue. Maybe not. People seem really excited for them, so maybe I'm just wrong.

theres already a dungeon thats suffering from what i am hearing from my guilde's Halls of Origination is the worst place to run they are always loseing heals or tanks on H i as a pally healer wont be touching that place either if i get it im leaveing